Vivek Ramaswamy spent the Fourth of July making public appearances in Lancaster and Upper Arlington before boarding a private jet bound for Paris, France.
Let this not be a wholesale critique of wealth itself. Rather, let it be a critique of the unvirtuous byproducts that immense wealth can produce − chief among them, a profound sense of detachment and the arrogance that so often accompanies it.
The irony is difficult to ignore. The Republican nominee for governor of Ohio could not stomach remaining on American soil for the entirety of our nation’s birthday celebration before the allure of Paris called his name. And if the French and Americans have anything in common, it is that we both know a thing or two about revolution.
As wealth disparities in this country continue to widen, we should not lose sight of the fact that America has developed its own bourgeoisie class. One that is increasingly insulated from, and often incapable of understanding, the economic realities facing ordinary people.
You can see this disconnect in Ramaswamy’s repeated attempts to appear relatable. When billionaires cosplay as middle class, the performance is rarely convincing. Recently, Ramaswamy’s campaign stopped at a local Mexican restaurant, the kind of establishment that serves as a staple in countless small-town communities. Yet his presence felt rehearsed and rigid, more anthropological observation than genuine participation. As he sampled the cheap, watery salsa that has become a beloved fixture of hometown eateries across America, one could not help but imagine that his mind had already wandered elsewhere − to a tasting menu in Paris rather than a lunch special in Ohio.
The spectacle recalled Dr. Mehmet Oz’s infamous Pennsylvania campaign stop, where he attempted to connect with voters by shopping for ingredients to make “crudité.” Or, as most Americans would call it, a vegetable tray.
There will undoubtedly be those who criticize Ramaswamy on grounds that are ugly, unworthy, and wholly irrelevant. Attacks rooted in his race or religion. Those criticisms should be rejected outright. But what strikes me as genuinely un-American is something else entirely: an inability to fully participate in the civic rituals that bind us together.
On America’s birthday, Ramaswamy was not draped in the stars and stripes for the duration of the celebration. Instead, by night’s end, he was basking beneath the red, white and blue of le drapeau tricolore.
This is not about whether a wealthy man should be allowed to travel abroad. Of course he should. It is about symbolism, priorities and authenticity. Ohio deserves a governor who does not merely campaign among its people, but who chooses to stand with them, literally and figuratively.
And if Vivek Ramaswamy cannot remain planted in Ohio during moments of celebration and collective joy, then Ohioans should reasonably ask: What can they expect from him during moments of hardship and trial?
Nick Anderson lives in Walnut Hills.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Ramaswamy’s Paris trip over Fourth of July weekend matters | Opinion
Reporting by Nick Anderson, Opinion contributor / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Nick Anderson, Opinion contributor | USA TODAY Network
